Tech review: Artificial intelligence for food and nutra NPD and the limitations of ChatGPT

AI and nutritional advice: Chatbots can provide useful info, but can’t replace human expertise​

AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, could enhance nutrition communication by offering real-time food analysis, but researchers stress they can’t fully replace human nutritionists.

ChatGPT has also shown limitations in delivering personalised dietary advice, including specific nutrition guidelines and precise portion sizes.

This is according to a cross-sectional study investigating the reliability of AI in determining the energy and macronutrient content of 222 food items using inputs in different languages, such as English and Traditional Chinese.

‘No silver bullet’: Yili reveals benefits, and limitations, of internal AI platform​​

Chinese dairy giant Yili believes that artificial intelligence (AI) in product innovation lies in formulation and efficiency improvements. However, the company cautioned that it is no silver bullet to creating good end-product results.

Yili developed its own internal version of AI platform Chat-GPT, dubbed Yili-GPT, several years ago.

It has sought to use this internally for problem solving across various business areas, has concluded that it is ‘useful but limited’ in terms of producing results, said Yili Digital Technology Centre general manager Tiger Shang.

AI for longevity: Insilico Medicine, SRW Laboratories to apply tech for new nutraceutical products​

Artificial intelligence (AI) drug discovery specialists Insilico Medicine is working with New Zealand outfit SRW Laboratories in developing new longevity nutraceutical products.

The first project of the partnership will focus on developing next-generation anti-ageing and longevity nutraceuticals.

The process could be broken down into two parts: 1) using the platform to identify different mechanisms and pathways associated with ageing-related diseases and then 2) assessing how different compounds could affect the pathways through cell model experiments.

Surfing for snacks: Mondelez stresses digital marketing momentum to drive APAC in-store purchases​  ​

Digital channels are increasingly driving in-store purchasing decisions in Asia, meaning an understanding of the online-offline mix is crucial to boost sales, says Mondelez.

According to Mondelez VP of Strategy and Commercial Excellence AMEA Tomas Centeno, a huge proportion of its sales in stores are being influenced by the digital realm.

More sophisticated consumer demands such as personalisation will likely become more widespread based on the experiences they enjoy online, as will growing demands for more sustainable products, he said.

From mobile gaming to nutrition: South Korea’s Monolabs to launch personalised nutrition services in China via WeChat​  

South Korea’s Monolabs, which has its roots in mobile gaming, is launching its personalised nutrition service ‘I AM’ into China via the messaging mobile app WeChat, making the country its first overseas personalised nutrition market.

Speaking to NutraIngredients-Asia ​at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) event, ​Lauren Koo, chief business officer said that the company would be bringing its personalised nutrition services into China from December 2023, making China its first overseas market.

The services would be available through a WeChat mini app, where consumers could access and answer the questionnaire through the app.